What is the Way of Tea? Preparation – Art – Heart – Tao

Many know the Japanese Chado (literally “Japanese Way of tea”) which is often, and erroneously, identified with the Japanese tea ceremony even by the Orientals themselves, but very few know the Chadao and the Dado.
Literally Chadao in the Chinese language, Chado in the Japanese language and Dado in the Korean language all mean the same thing, namely The Way of Tea.
But what is the Way of Tea? Is it the same as the tea ceremony? Does the tea ceremony also exist in China and Korea?

The Way of Tea that unites all three oriental cultures mentioned above is the basis of the tea ceremony but it is not exactly the same thing.
The preparation of tea throughout history has always been linked to aesthetics and spirituality, however preparing tea is not practicing the tea ceremony.
In fact, everyone can prepare tea: it is not difficult and it is not necessary to know or practice the art of tea to prepare and drink it.

Practicing the Art of Tea, on the other hand, is a first step towards “the way” as with “art” I repeat, study, perform, practice certain gestures with precision, care and competence.
The art of Tea is the initial moment of the Tea Ceremony, the one in which we begin to study and learn and we care a lot about the technique and little about what surrounds us.
As you progress in the study you reach a level of awareness that is not simply “technical”, but “physical”: you become aware of the environment that surrounds us just like the “famous monk” who only after years can understand where come from the “wind among the pines”. *

Becoming aware of the surrounding environment means that the technique “goes without saying” and the head can also pause briefly to evaluate the quality of the tea we are preparing, its scent that spreads in the air, the satisfaction of the guests seated opposite to us, the kettle sound which gives us a clear indication of the water temperature and many other things.
To complete the path of art, at the height of one’s studies, it is necessary that awareness reaches a further level: from “physical” awareness you will pass to an “intimate” awareness in which, in addition to the technical preparation and physical perception of that we are doing, we will have an internal perception, a state of pure tranquility and harmony that will bind us on the one hand to the perfect preparation of tea and on the other hand will put us in total harmony with our guests of whom we will be able to anticipate needs and needs.
To reach this stage it is necessary to put the heart, that is, to put feelings and sensations in gestures and then transfer them to tea.
This is the true synthesis of the Tea Ceremony.

But then what is the Way of tea ?
It is to continue studying, practicing and continuing to put your heart into it every time.
Following the Way is the Tao of Tea. It is the Do. It is Zen.
It is the monk who despite having achieved enlightenment continues to practice meditation.
It is the one that will bring great benefits to our lives.

So, in summary, is there only the Japanese Tea Ceremony or are there also the Chinese Tea Ceremony and the Korean Tea Ceremony?
There is the Chadao. There is the Chado. There is the Dado.
So I leave you the answer to this question!

It is a short story told in a famous koan, that is a Buddhist anecdote that the Masters told their students to instruct them and at the same time check their progress.